help with suspension setup

[blueoval]

ok I have a 89 festiva with stock 1.3 with webber carb,it's my daily driver for work over 2000miles a month just for work. it is a destiva only part I have from the aspire is the sway bar and all my brake components are brand new,did not know about aspire swap until after so will stay with festiva setup as far as that goes. I need shocks and springs was thinking just festiva Monroe sense-tracks but then I seen on here that vw coilovers work with lights mods? I have looked at Charlie's sticky and have talked back in forth on here with him but I really do not have the tools to cut the shocks down and rewels but as far as making holes bigger and cutting springs can do. so question is what is a good setup? also whats up with the kia rio top hats? so much info on here been sifting through it for days and so much conflicting info so what to do? and if go with shock/struts then what springs? festiva or cut down aspire? if aspire how many coils ? any and all info as long as it's correct is greatly appreciated thanks and pics help going to be running 13 inch wheels also

[zoom zoom]

festiva and aspires have the same springs front and rear, some are just newer than others.

[kingstonpygmies]

So if festivas and aspires have the same springs the only think affecting the ride height would be the strut design and age of springs?

Sent from Kingston Ga from my hillbilly handheld

[Team Lightning]

Springs are the same diameter but the weight rating is different. Aspires are heavier than a Festiva. Aspire springs under a Festiva will raise it a couple of inches or so. Mine has Aspire rear springs and it's at least a couple of inches higher in the back than it was before and a lot stiffer.

[kingstonpygmies]

Ahh that make sense. Sorry for hijacking the thread. I thought I was about to get lucky with a strut swap. Still on the look for aspire swap. Oh well

Sent from Kingston Ga from my hillbilly handheld

[zoom zoom]

actually it's the other way around :/

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?44717-spring-rate-calculator&highlight=spring+rate

Sorry I wasn't even thinking about that :p

I had thought that it was weird the festiva springs were different but the spring rates came out almost identical, that must be the difference.. I have some rear springs I've been meaning to measure too. Feel free to grab a couple springs measure them up and post your results!

[blueoval]

thanks for the replies but still whats up with the rio ? I've read on here to use festiva or aspire shocks/struts and to cut aspire springs but not sure how much and how about the vw coilovers? really looking for the best setup for the money

[Team Lightning]

Rio front struts and mounts give you a power steering like feel on a Festiva. Rio top mounts have a bearing where the Festiva/Aspire ones don't.
Also Rio's are valved for a heavier car and should improve the handling on your Festy. If you use the Rio springs, cut about 1.5 coils off for a close to stock height on the Festiva.
Not sure about the VW struts as I'm using Rio parts on my car I'm building. I've read about them, but I haven't talked to anyone that has them on their car.

[kingstonpygmies]

Found some brand new front struts for a 03 Rio on the bay for 61.00 shipped. I will post a link in a minute. That is for both front struts. This might be a suitable option to help the front some. I guess using the festiva springs with these would be some better results than stock. I'll post a link in a minute

Sent from Kingston Ga from my hillbilly handheld

[kingstonpygmies]

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=350819917738

Sent from Kingston Ga from my hillbilly handheld

[FestYboy]

should be looking for 01-02 rio. and i hear that neon front struts may be another option as well....

[blueoval]

does any one have the 01-02 rio front struts on their car if so how does it drive/ride? and what about the rear?

[FestYboy]

rears are incompatable (fronts only). most ppl go with the aspire rear stuts for a little more tire clearance.

[JPT]

does any one have the 01-02 rio front struts on their car if so how does it drive/ride? and what about the rear?

I have Rio struts, mounts and springs (cut 1.5 coils) and I love it. They're stiffer than stock, but comfortable and the ball bearing strut mounts make it feel like I have power steering.

[blueoval]

so hows the ride quality and hows it drive with the rio front and aspire rear? and what springs do people run? is it really better than just buying festiva struts/shocks and keeping festiva springs or using aspire springs read that 1&1/2 to 2 full coils will put the festiva back close to oem ride height anyone got pics of a festiva setup like this? I really want a good ride,i drive a lot thanks